The post where the 'wope' and 'wock' trope began was now so long ago that it's apparently too far back in the archives to be retrieved on a search. But it's timely to issue a reminder that it concerned a 3-year old BellforPM-let, eyes shining with wonder, giving her awestruck account of attending the first game to me and her baby sister.
That game was against Essendon.
Both BellforPM-lets have long flown the coop and have lives of their own. It feels like there will be grand-BellforPM-lets running around before our team plays finals again, let alone makes the big one.
So it's wetwo 'thank-the-members' wound and the grownup BellforPM-lets are back in town and coming to the game. For the first time in years we will all be there again, with a couple of plus-ones. And I long to see the wock, the wope and the wanchor. I want to hear the Volga Boatmen chant and the cheer squad drums. I want it to be like the days when going to the footy was fun, win or lose, with the crazy carnival laugh-a-minute atmosphere, instead of the bland corporate noise-fest that gets served up after the ordeal of getting to Optus.
And maybe if the cowbell lady brings her gear, and gives it a shake every now and then, it will remind Peter Bell, wherever he is sitting, of the days when the Dockers outfit had character, and a heart and soul.
(Needless to say as Dockers diehards we're well accustomed to disappointment...but we still keep a flicker of hope alive that one day we'll get our club back)
